Carmen Lees

Is this change in line ups now redefining festival culture? Currently yes, but I’m not

2023wastheyearthat76-year-oldmusicallegend Elton John headlined Glastonbury Festival, making history and bringing together a variety of fans of all ages. Yet surprisingly, the sea of faces that gathered to watch Eltons Last UK performance were majoritively younger, who may not have even been born when Elton was at hisprimewithinthemusicindustry.

Is it now more common for a festival line up to include names that were huge in the 70s & 80s, bringing acts that dominated the world into the musical history of these festivals themselves. With aging voices and more restricted showmanship, these acts are still able to deliver a powerhouse performance and have millions of people rushing to the stages. Elton is not the first older act to be asked to headline Glastonbury, with Beatles icon Paul McCartney headlining the previous year on theWorthyFarm'sPyramidStage.

Festivals stereotypically are events targeted and marketed at Gen Z and are one of the most popular activities in the Summer. With an excuse to let loose and party, they are a social event that offer a space for young people to come together. Winning the hearts andloyaltyofmanyyoungpeople,you’lloftenfindthose who haven't had a year in their teenage/adult life not attendingfestivalslikeGlastonbury.

Glastonbury is known for showcasing those who are dominating the current music industry, bringing the bestofcurrentpopculturetoSomerset.

Contraditicating this selling point, Mumford & Sons are the only recent British festival headliners that have released an album within the last five years. Are British festivals now no longer aiming at selling to younger people?Itseemsthatway.

Whatever the target market may now be, the youth are stillbeingdrawntotheseolderheadlineacts.Maybeit’s nostalgia or the thought of being part of musical history. It could be the excitement of having an opportunity to see in person some of the British acts that caused media frenzies across the UK during the 70s/80s, fully knowing that we haven't seen such dominatingmusicalactssince.

There's current debate that shining a light on acts that have had their prime time is currently taking opportunities away from the young talent rising in the British music scene. Almost completely removing a spacethatwasalwaysdesignedtofuelthecurrentchart topping acts strips the chance for other young talent to followintheselegendsfootsteps.

OneelementIreallyadmiredabouttheEltonJohnsetis that the pop-icon used his platform at Glastonbury to inviteyoungeractsontothestage,showcasingthenext generation of Elton approved hits. Joining him live, Jacob Lusk, Stephen Sanchez, Brandon Flowers and Rina Sawayama tooktothestagewheretheywerejust ascelebratedandsupportedbythecrowd.

Is this change in line ups now redefining festival culture?Currentlyyes,butI’mnottoomadaboutit.

As much as I love upcoming talent within the UK, there is something magical about capturing Eltons last UK performance or Paul McCartney's first and last headline Glastonbury set. With a music industry that is now changing and representing a scene driven by popularity, these older acts set an example of what BritishMusicreallyrepresents.

I find myself being proof of this as I’m still singing

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@ksyran